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An Architectural Guide to Manhattan Heights

The Manhattan Heights neighborhood got its start in the most unlikely way. It was the site of a copper smelter. Begun in 1899 as the Federal Copper Company, due to financial constraints the business was short lived and shut down in 1903.

By 1914, the land was redeveloped as two residential neighborhoods: Manhattan Heights and Castle Heights. The latter, located immediately adjacent to Manhattan Heights, is now considered part of the same neighborhood for all practical purposes since they are both contained within the Manhattan Heights Historic District.

The district features over 500 homes and showcases a wide range of architectural styles, including: Spanish Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival, Pueblo, Territorial and the more modest and common Craftsman style bungalow.

Restoring a Historic Home in Manhattan Heights

Originally posted on YouTube in March 2013, this video details work on our first full house restoration, begun in 2009. Our goal is to show how, with enough time and...
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Otto Thorman Home, 3033 Federal Avenue

This distinctive home at 3033 Federal Ave was built by prominent El Paso architect Otto Thorman in 1929 for Maynard Hart, a well-known pathologist. Hart became nationally known when he...
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Otto Thorman Home, 1702 Raynor Street

Otto Thorman designed this imposing stone home at 1702 Raynor Street in Manhattan Heights in 1918 for Dr. Brunner and his wife. The home recently underwent an extensive renovation by...
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Mabel Welch Home in Manhattan Heights

This magnificent Spanish influenced home at 3038 Federal Avenue was designed by architect Mabel Welch for Louie B. Hoard – owner of a railway in Mexico and a lumber company...
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3119 Federal Avenue

This Craftsman style bungalow is located in the Manhattan Heights Historic District. The address is 3119 Federal Avenue. This house features authentic Craftsman colors, in tones of sage green, cream...
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